CCC supporters instruct MPs to defy Chamisa

Zim Now Writer

Supporters of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change are directing their representatives not to follow former party leader, Nelson Chamisa’s new political nebulous plan by resigning en masse from Parliament or local authorities.

Chamisa last week dumped the CCC party, citing that it had been hijacked by the ruling Zanu PF. He also claimed the alleged 2023 electoral fraud was one of the reasons behind his decision.

The question, however, has been about the fate of MPs, senators, and councillors who aligned to Chamisa.

While others have decided to resign from the government and follow their leader, others will remain in offices in a clear demonstration of defiance against Chamisa.

In an interview with Zim Now, Warren Park legislator Shakespeare Hamauswa said his constituents have instructed him to stay in Parliament.

He noted that it would not be a good idea for him to pull out and give Zanu PF an advantage when the next elections are held in 2028.

“Generally, the people are saying, as MPs for now remain in Parliament. Don’t rush to resign, but you have to follow president Nelson Chamisa. That’s the general sentiment that is coming from the consultations we’re having now,” he said.

“The only challenge that is there is that people are not providing a statistical analysis. What it means is that we may go up to 2024 when we have actually donated seats. Resigning may not be good for the citizens because we may end donating seats to Zanu PF, which is why some of us are saying ‘yes, I stand with president Chamisa, but why should I resign today? Why should I plunge the new movement before it is properly constituted?

“‘We need to take our time and come up with a proper strategy, then we institute necessary instruments and prepare for the election. Right now, we cannot go for a by-election because we will lose proportional representatives from senate to council. Definitely, they use 2023 election results.’”

Norton MP, Richard Tsvangirai, the son of late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday announced clearly that his supporters had told him not to withdraw from office.

“Today, we met as Norton residents to deliberate on the resignation of Adv Nelson Chamisa from CCC. The residents have agreed to stand with Adv Nelson Chamisa.

“However, Norton agreed that their deployees, the MP and the councillors, are doing a great job and should remain in Parliament and council and continue executing their constitutional mandate while waiting for Adv Nelson Chamisa to announce the next step, as he promised in his statement.”

Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu said: “Many in my inbox are asking if I am resigning from Parliament. Not at the moment, my friends. Thank you!” Mr Matewu posted on his official X account.

Political commentator Pride Mkono told Zim Now advised the elected members of CCC not to leave offices “unnecessarily” without a clear strategy on the way forward.

He added that this would cost the taxpayers.

“Strategically, there is no justification for MPs or elected councillors withdrawing without being recalled as this will unnecessarily burden taxpayers with by-elections,” Mkono said.

“Any such move must be done when there is a broader strategy to deal with authoritarianism. To simply withdraw now without clear direction amounts to populism. Besides, it was far more strategic to withdraw soon after the disputed elections, but they did not do so. One would ask what has changed now given the fact that Chamisa has been non-committal in his handling of CCC elected representatives. If Tshabangu wants to recall them all, let him do it. For now, they must stay put.”

Human rights lawyer Freddy Masarirevu said the next decision for affected MPs and councillors should be made after broad consultations.